It was 90-plus degrees, 400-percent humidity, and we were stuck in the house without air conditioning trying to whip this thing we call potty training. But I gotta hand it to Daddy – he uncovered a genius app that saved our collective hides: Talking Carl.

Talking Carl is an iPhone app that was recommended to my husband by one of his Dad friends last week. The app features Carl, a so-ugly-he’s-cute monster who repeats anything you say back to you in a voice that is like a chipmunk on helium.

The voice varies based on who is speaking – so it’s deeper for a guy, more shrill for a girl – and really insanely cute for toddlers.

For kids like mine who are just learning to talk or scream or make fart noises Talking Carl is heaven on earth. You can also tickle him or hit him using your index finger – and he laughs or says ouch. Oh and he barks too, which makes Sydney the wonder-Cujo bark even more (so we try not to go there).

Barks, talks like a chipmunk, laughs: That’s it. And like most of the simple things in life, it rocks.

Carl slayed the boys, turning even the most violent bedtime sibling wrestling match into a knee slappin’ family affair.

And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t reaching for it while waiting in a terrible line at the grocery store. If only Carl could force my little guys to go poopy on the potty…sigh. Oh Gods of Apple, can you help with that?

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7 Responses to Dear iPhone Parents, You NEED Talking Carl!

Kellysays:

June 28, 2010 at 1:31 pm

My toddler loves the apps by elias smiles! They have a farm, zoo flashcards, and ABC flashcards that really cheer her up. She’s played the zoo cards since she was 10 months or so and they taught her that a sheep says baa. So cute!

HokieMommasays:

June 28, 2010 at 4:11 pm

My 2 year old love’s Giraff’s Matching Zoo and Tozzle (a toddler puzzle game). I never thought I’d let my little one’s get a hold of my iTouch so soon, but it sure comes in handy sometimes!

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